Greece has signed a new arms deal with France worth over $4.4 billion to buy three navy frigates and six additional Rafale fighter jets as Athens increases its armed forces in response to rising tensions with Turkey.
France’s defence minister joined the respective defence minister from Greece, Nikos Panagiotopoulos at a signing ceremony on the eve of Greece’s national day aboard a 112-year-old battleship that also acts as a floating museum.
“It is with solidarity that we address the threats that face our nations and our interests,” minister Parly said.
The three FDI-class French frigates will be built by Naval Group, a defence contractor located in western France that is set to be delivered by 2026.
One of six agreed Rafale fighter jets landed on the island of Crete on Friday, where it will be based as it begins a series of operations in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was extended an invitation to address Greek Parliament by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis during a phone call on Friday March 25th. This address will likely take place via teleconference.
Zelenskyy has already made multiple addresses including to the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan in an attempt to rally support to the Ukrainian cause following the Russian invasion.
Mitsotakis’ invitation reflects Greece’s clear condemnation of the invasion and support for the Ukrainian nation. Greece was among the first countries to send aid to the country ranging from military aid and humanitarian aid.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. photo: The Economist
Giorgos Katrougalos, a foreign minister during the SYRIZA government tweeted “The invitation to President Zelenskyy to address the Parliament is a positive gesture of solidarity.”
“Greece, as a country of peace and soft power, must play a leading role in diplomatic efforts for an immediate end to the war,” Katrouglas said.
Θετική κίνηση αλληλεγγύης η πρόσκληση στον Πρόεδρο Ζελένσκι να μιλήσει στη Βουλή. Η Ελλάδα πρέπει να πρωταγωνιστήσει στη διπλωματική προσπάθεια για άμεσο τερματισμό του πολέμου, ως χώρα ειρήνης κ ήπιας ισχύος.
In efforts to send continuous aid to the Ukraine during this invasion, French President Emmanuel Macron has also announced he will be working with Greece and Turkey to help people get out of the city of Mariupol and convince Russia to allow the evacuation of the population.
Macron told reporters after an EU summit in Brussels, “There was a concrete discussion today with the Mayor of Mariupol. We are coordinating and we will then negotiate with the Russians.”
“I will have a conversation with President Putin in the next 48 to 72 hours to finalize the details and modalities. It is urgent,” the French President added.
Greek Australian writers Patricia Karvelas, Nikki Savva and Christos Tsiolkas are all set to feature at this year’s Sydney Writers Festival which will run from May 16 to May 22 at various Sydney venues such as Carriageworks, City Recital Hall and Sydney Town Hall.
This year’s festival will fall withing what is to be predicted to be in the midst of the soon-to-be-called elections, although that doesn’t cause too much uncertainty for the event as this year’s theme for the festival is “Change my Mind.”
Artistic Director, Michael Williams photo: Sydney Morning Herald
Artistic director Michael Williams said the theme of this year’s festival spoke to the social tone of discourse and debate.
“The reason the theme is ‘change my mind’ not ‘change your mind’ is that it’s a promise and an invitation of entering a new conversation whether that be with a book, a person or event,” says Williams.
“It’s going into it with generosity and reciprocity,”
The Authentis: 30 Years at the Helm concert, held at Sydney Town Hall on Friday night to mark 30 years since the enthronement of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, was a huge success.
The show-stopping event was organised by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and was attended by over 1,000 people including a number of officials and prominent members of the Greek Australian community.
The concert was almost sold out. All photos: Andriana Simos / The Greek Herald (unless specified otherwise).Official attendees.The crowd.His Eminence Archbishop Makarios with Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas. Photo supplied.
This included His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia; the High Commissioner of Cyprus, Martha Mavrommatis; Press Counsellor at the Consulate General of Greece in Sydney, Costas Giannakodimos; the Honorary Consul General for Ukraine in Sydney, Jaroslav Duma; Randwick City Councillor, Alexandra Luxford; the Bank of Sydney CEO, Miltos Michaelas; and many other Bishops, clergy and representatives of Greek organisations.
At the start of the night, attendees were treated to a surprise video message from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew where he praised the Greek community for their support of the Orthodox faith, Greek traditions and the youth in Australia.
Afterwards, renowned Greek maestro, Themos Mexis, walked on stage to conduct the concert.
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a special video message.Themos Mexis conducting.
For over an hour, the audience watched on in awe as the National Metropolitan Choir of Australia (NMCA) and the Sydney Youth Orchestra performed a number of musical pieces including the Greek and Australian National Anthems, Doxa si Kyrie and an orchestral Sousta.
Throughout the night, there were also performances from soloist, Sandy Constandopedos, as well as Tassos Lambrou and Andrew Belekas on the bouzouki, and Antonis Petrantonakis on the lyra.
Sandy Constantopedos.The artists.
The grand finale was an incredible show of multiculturalism. The NMCA and Orchestra performed the Ode to Freedom as the Hellenic Lyceum Youth marched in wearing traditional Greek costumes and holding Greek flags. They were followed by The Sydney Thistle Highland Pipe Band who performed a verse of the Ode. This finale was in honour of Greek Independence Day.
The grand finale.
At the end of these celebrations, Archbishop Makarios led a small prayer for the people of Ukraine and later gave a small speech where he announced that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Australia in 2024 to mark the 100th anniversary since the establishment of the Archdiocese.
This announcement was met with applause, followed by a final standing ovation for Mexis and all the artists who performed on the night.
Photo supplied.Archbishop Makarios giving his speech.The Hellenic Lyceum Youth.
It was a full house at the Greek Community Club in Lakemba on Friday evening where community members of all ages, distinguished guests and representatives of Greek organisations gathered to commemorate the 201st anniversary from the beginning of the Greek War of Revolution with a special ceremony.
The reception, organised by the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW (GOCNSW) and MC’d by Mrs Artemis Theodoris commenced with the National Anthems of Australia and Greece followed by a minute’s silence in memory of those who have fallen, reciting of poems from students of the Community’s afternoon schools and short speeches by the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of NSW, Harry Danalis; Consular Officer, George Lizidis representing the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Christos Karras; Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Seniors, Mark Coure and Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations and Shadow Minister for Work, Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis representing the NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns.
Also attending were, Shadow Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation Courtney Houssos MLC, Parliamentary Secretary Peter Poulos, Labor candidate for Reid Sally Sitou, the Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Khal Asfour, the Mayor of Waverley Council Paula Masselos and councillor of Sutherland Shire Council Haris Strangas.
In his speech, after he gave a brief historical outline of the Greek Revolt and highlighted the values for which Greeks fought to defend their freedom Mr Danalis pointed out that “we’ve been carried away lately to use this day for other purposes.”
“This may be the birthday of some other person, this might be some other event of religious significance but for us the significance of the 25th of March is the uprising of the Greek people for their freedom, for their independence and for their rights. And this is what we always need to keep in mind.”
At the same time, other community members were attending the ‘Authentis’ concert held at the Sydney Town Hall to celebrate the thirty years from the enthronement of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Addressing the GOCNSW’s event attendees, Minister Coure recognised the importance of community language schools, highlighted the role of ethnic media in keeping the community safe during the pandemic and in passing on the language and culture to future generations.
“I want to see more people in NSW learn a second language and I started that conversation this week,” he said.
Concluding the speeches, NSW Labor’s spokeswoman for industrial relations and work health and safety, Sophie Cotsis, spoke about the important role of women in the Revolution and expressed her pride for her heritage.
“We owe huge debt to those unspoken heroes. The mothers the daughters, the sisters who preferred to be killed than to be enslaved. Who fought, who struggled and suffered for 400 years” she said.
The Community’s dance group under the direction of Mrs Paroula Thurban entertained the crowd before the celebrations ended with a cocktail party.
When Greeks band together, they can achieve great things. Freedom from the Ottoman Turks, for one. And Greeks of the diaspora came out in full force on Friday night to celebrate the inaugural Grecian Ball organised by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM), the Greek National Day Council of Victoria and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia.
Held at the Grand Hyatt it was a lavish affair, though the world ‘inaugural’ may be deceptive.
Tony Tsourdalakis of the Greek National Day Council of Victoria told the 500 people present that “history tells us that our ancestors and forefathers gathered for a similar event over 86 years ago, back in 1936 at St Kilda Town Hall for the first inaugural Grecian Ball with the likes of Lekatsas, Vendouras, Kostopoulos and many, many others”.
Postponed from last year, the event aimed to celebrate 200 years of Independence from Ottoman Turks but also show how far we have come as migrants. An established community, the people at the Grand Hyatt were a far cry from the simple folk who left Greece behind to create a more prosperous life in Australia.
Back then, there were many struggles, but the Greek community has come a long way. GCM President Bill Papastergiadis said that the Greek community these days enjoys “bipartisan support”, and he thanked the pollies present for all they have done to help finance Greek language development, sports and culture.
Mr Tsourdalakis expressed his gratitude for Premier Daniel Andrews’ support to enable Evzones to come from Greece to Melbourne for Anzac Day. He invited those present to watch out for the programme which would be released over the coming days.
Over the week, attention had been cast on former health minister Jenny Mikakos’ negotiations with Culture and Sports Minister Lina Mendoni who had agreed for artefacts from the National Museum of Athens to be displayed in Australia. Though the antiquities display was to coincide with the Bicentenary of Greece’s Independence it will finally open in April at the Melbourne Museum.
Ms Mikakos told the Greek Herald that she had been on holiday to Greece when she met with Dr Mendoni, who had just assumed office at the time. She expressed her excitement to finally be seeing the display come to fruition.
She smiled graciously as Greek community members rushed to meet her, take a selfie, and show their support. “The inaugural Grecian Ball was a great way for our community to come together and celebrate Greek National Day and everything that Greek culture has contributed to the world. Congratulations to everyone involved in putting on a great event,” she told the Greek Herald.
The hall was full, and the wine flowed freely, though Jorge Menidis told the Greek Herald that there had been some cancellations due to COVID-19. You could hardly tell. For the most part there was joy, especially when Melina Aslanidou took the stage and people partied like there was no COVID, and nothing but happy days ahead.
Greek History
Despite the bright future, it would be remiss to host an event celebrating Greece’s Independence without delving into the past. Mr Papastergiadis showed the link from past to present, by showcasing four themes in the Greek Revolution which are relevant to Greek Australians.
“The first thing is the foundational role of ancient Greece in Western civilisation, and an idolisation of ancient Greece and what relationship that had to the uprising,” he said. “I also want to talk about the role of the diaspora, the people outside of Greece in the formation of the modern Greek nation. Equally, our story of multiculturalism in Australia and how this helps us to understand the uprising, and finally the shared values and bonds between our two wonderful countries,” he said, adding that celebrating Greece’s independence is a “unique experience” for migrants as the Greek War of Independence drew support from the diaspora.
Speaking of the Filiki Etairia, the friendly brotherhood founded in Odessa, Ukraine, in 1814, he said that the revolt commenced when Alexandros Ypsilandis, leader of the society, crossed over to Moldovia in 1820. Mr Papastergiadis added that with “multiculturalism forming the backbone of our society, I think we’re in the very unique capacity here in Australia to form connections with our own cultural heritage but, as well, to forge bonds with the history and culture of other nations and this is precisely what we’re doing here today.”
“As you can see, it’s a shared journey,” he said, while adding that events have swung full circle in Odessa, in the Ukraine now, “fighting for the same ideals of freedom and democracy that we are in fact celebrating here today”.
No one in the room understood these heartfelt words more than Liberal Opposition leader Matthew Guy, who described the situation of his family there. He vowed Ukraine would show the same fighting spirit as the Greeks while pointing to the commonalities of these two nations.
Commending the pride Greek Australians have for their homeland, he pointed to his neighbour Theo in Templestowe, who is always saying, “You’ve got to come with me to Leros. You’ve got to come with me to Lefkada. You’ve got to come with me to the Peloponnese.”
Maria Vamvakinou, Labor MP, told him to take his neighbour’s advice to visit Lefkada as that is where her background is from.
Every year, the brave heroic ex-servicemen of the Hellenic RSL of Melbourne gather together at the Australian Hellenic Memorial created in their honour. This year was no exception, and around a few hundred people were lucky to attend ceremony for the 201st anniversary of Greek Independence.
It was mainly veterans of many ages, standing stiff to attention, though some fingers trembled as they held onto flags. They were men who fought for freedom, honouring their ancestors. But interspersed among them were also children from Alphington Grammar and a few representatives from other schools.
Maria Vamvakinou MP, member for Calwell, an ex-teacher, said she remembered “growing up in the Greek Orthodox church learning Greek in the afternoon school and the most significant thing that was taught to us apart from Plato, Socrates and Aristotle was the Greek revolution”.
Before reading the message of Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, she said, “The Greek revolution was fought and was won by the Greek people, whether they were the clergy, whether they were members of the business community, whether they were the wealthy, the revolutionaries, the women, the men, the children… As a collective they fought for their freedom and they won it and the importance of that freedom is taught to all of us through our Greek heritage.”
This was her response to a question by Greek Consul General to Melbourne Emmanuel Kakavelakis, who asked: “Who created the Revolution?” Casting the spotlight on all the collectives of the revolution, he reminded people of the different groups that made Greece’s freedom possible.
Soldiers, protectors of freedom in more recent battles, decorated soldiers, wearing medals of valour from either Greece or Australia listened solemnly before heading to the Shrine for a special ceremony and then back to the RSL for traditional cod fish and skordalia.
Manto Mavrogenous was a dominant figure of the Greek Revolution of 1821. She devoted herself wholly to the ideals and the justnesses of the Freedom of the nation, selflessly offering her love for her country.
Her ancestors were born and lived in Paros. Her great-grandfather, Ioannis Mavrogenis, settled in Marmara of Paros and his son was Nikolaos Mavrogenis, Ruler of Moldovlachia, who built the three marble fountains located on the main street of Parikia. Ioanni’s other son, Demetrios, brought to life Petros Mavrogenis, father of Manto.
Manto was an educated, beautiful cosmopolitan, tall and imposing woman, who spoke French, Italian and Turkish, and was influenced by the values and ideas of the Enlightenment.
She visited Greece at the age of 19 and her immense love for her homeland came from her uncle Reverend Nikolaos Mavros. Thus, she allegedly made the decision to devote herself to the struggle for freedom by offering her entire fortune on the altar of the righteous of the nation.
The website “parianostpos.gr”, reports on Manto’s devotion to the fatherland and the struggle for freedom:
“With ships equipped at her own expense she pursued Algerians who ravaged the Cyclades, equipped two manned ships with which she pursued pirates who attacked Mykonos and other islands of the Cyclades. In October 1822, the Mykonians repulsed the Turks under her leadership. She also equipped and supplied 150 men to campaign in the Peloponnese and sent forces and financial support to Samos when the island was threatened by the Turks. She sent a force of 50 men to the Peloponnese who participated in the capture of Tripolitsa by the Greeks.
“She spent money for the relief of the soldiers and their families but also for the preparation of a campaign in northern Greece, with the support of many Philhellenes. She formed a fleet of six ships and infantry consisting of 16 groupswith fifty men each and took part in operations at Karystos in 1822. She financed the campaign of Chios, but failed to prevent the massacre of Chios. She reinforced Nikitaras with 50 men in the Battle of Dervenakia. When the Ottoman fleet appeared in the Cyclades, she financed the supplies and equipment of the 200 men who fought the enemy and provided shelter to two thousand people who had survived the first siege of Missolonghi. Her men participated in many other battles such as those of Pelion, Fthiotida, Livadia”.
Everything she had, movable and immovable property, money and jewelery she offered to the National Liberation Struggle.
It is estimated that 700,000 piastres, an amount incredible for those times, were spent by her for the Hellenic cause. In 1825, while her resources were depleted, she was forced to divest her family’s properties in the Cyclades islands.
After the murder of Kapodistrias (1831), survival problems were exacerbated, while relations with her family deteriorated. She was accused of squandering the large family property. She was then forced to address a letter to King Otto and explain her situation to him. She never received an answer.
She tasted the ungreatfulness of her homeland as when she applied for a pension as a retired fighter in front of a state official, she was asked: “and what did you do for your homeland?” and the proud Manto to the end, replied: “Nothing…”
The last years of her life, she spent them as a poor, forgotten and impoverished woman. In a state of destitution, she dwelt in Paros where some of her relatives lived. In July 1840, she contracted typhoid fever and died forgotten by all in Paros, the island of her ancestors in 1848. Her body passed through the central alleys of Parikia and ended at the Holy Church of Panagia Ekatontapyliani where the funeral service was performed.
Giannis Vasiliopoulos: “Manto did not stay with her cousins in Paros”
The president of Friends of the Municipal Library of Paros, Giannis Vasiliopoulos, spoke to the Greek Herald about the family that hosted Manto Mavrogenous in the last years of her life.
“The House today belongs to the Kritikos family. This house belonged to the Madibella family. When it hosted Manto it belonged to Margarita Madibella.
She was single then and later married a notator of Andros. Manto became their matron of honour. Manto, in Paros, had cousins but they didn’t host her.
The Madibella family, as a family of Paros, appears in 17th-century documents to be konsouli (official representative of state) of England. Great family, educated, who hosted Manto.
This house is one storey in Potamos area of Parikia. In the year 1986-1987, the owner of the house, Mrs Kritikos wanted to rent it due to tourism. So, she did some changes to the building without permission. The house was listed in 1987 under Melina Mercouri. She built a floor above, changing its facade. But she did not change the sign of the house.
When the house changed its appearance, people became very upset with the owner. “What are you doing? This house is important to our country,” they told her.
The house from then until now is preserved and belongs to the Kritikos family”.
TGH:This house was never used as a museum?
“No, alas, never! This family never stayed in. It was rented from 1980 onwards when tourism started picking up”.
TGH:So you tell us that such a historic house over the years was used as a simple house for accommodation?
“Yes, yes… Now I don’t know if it is currently inhabited. But it was used to meet tourist needs. Especially the upper floor that was then made. This is the story of this house.
It is a house from the 15th-16th centuries. Parikia has been inhabited for 5,000 years continuously. With the excavations that took place you see the prehistoric, the archaic, the classical and so on”.
TGH:The house where Manto Mavrogenous stayed, you told us is in the area “Potamos”, in the alley that leads to Panagia Ekatontapiliani. Right?
“Yes… Manto, when she died, was buried in Ekatontapyliani. In 1962, when Orlandos, that great professor of Archaeology, did the restoration, tried to find the tomb. He used as reference the story that she was buried there in the Lieutenant General’s uniform. However, as he reveals in his report, he found nothing.
Corres, a writer, says she was buried northwest of Ekatontapyliani. The name “Mavrogenous” was engraved on the tomb, but they found no insignia. Others said that her bones were taken to Mykonos to local people that belonged to her family. Now if her bones were in Paros we don’t know.
TGH: Are members from the Mavrogenous family living in Paros?
“Yes there are. Perhaps the Dimitrakopoulos are the continuation of the family”.
The rare 15-page book from Nikiphoros Kypraios ‘ speech about Manto Mavrogenous
At the Primary School of Paros on the 25th of March 1926 anniversary of the Greek Independence Day, Nikiforos Kypraios – retired officer- was invited to speak about the national heroes and witnesses of the revolution with extensive reference to the life of the heroine Manto Mavrogenous.
As a man of insight he had the providence that a small book of 15 pages should be printed containing the discourse he uttered on that day. So this speech has remained alive and will remain forever. Very likely, of course, it was printed by the association of “ALL PARIANS of EKATONTAPYLIANI” since it bears the stamp with their logo. This small in size and volume book is quite rare and this is because due to its simple binding it is easy for someone not to pay proper attention to it and easily go to the bin.
* Special thanks to Michael Roubanos for providing rare photographic material
Renowned photographer, Effy Alexakis, is set to showcase her extensive repertoire of photographs showcasing the lives of Greek Australians since 1982 at a special exhibition for The Greek Festival of Sydney.
The exhibition titled, ‘Forty Photographs – A Year at a Time,’ will run from March 28 – April 3 at the N. Smith Gallery in Paddington.
When invited by the Greek Festival Chair, Nia Karteris, to present an exhibition for the 40th anniversary of the Greek Festival of Sydney in 2022, Alexakis selected an image for every year, as her own documentary photographic work had also reached this milestone.
She accessed her vast archive on the Greek Australian experience and selected one contemporary image to represent each year in order to reveal the changing face of Greek Australians since 1982.
Each photograph evidences salient aspects or elements significant to the personal journey of the photographer and her evolving understanding of her community and heritage – both within Australia and overseas – and in so doing, provides a unique visual insight into the ongoing story of Greek-Australia.
All photographs are titled and captioned offering viewers a deeper personal interaction.
Alexakis’ visual odyssey offers Greek-Australian viewers a unique look at their immediate past by one of their own, and the broader Australian community, a personal visual diary documenting one of its most emblematic cultural groups within the flux and challenges of a contemporary multicultural society.
‘FORTY PHOTOGRAPHS – A YEAR AT A TIME’
Photographer: Effy Alexakis
27 March – 3 April 2022 (LAUNCH 29th March @ 6.30pm)
